The hamstring is a set of 3 muscles biceps femoris, semitendinosus and semimembranosus. These run along the back of one’s thigh and allow us to bend our leg at the knee.  The hamstring muscle is not just used while standing but also used while walking, jumping and climbing. A hamstring strain is very common and can either be mildly painful or even can lead to severe pain and surgery.

A hamstring strain occurs in 3 grades:

• Grade 1- a mild muscle pull or strain
• Grade 2- a partial muscle tear
• Grade 3- a completed muscle tear

Causes:

A hamstring injury occurs when a muscle gets loaded. It can be caused due to heavy physical activity and sports. A hamstring muscle strain is very common among athletes and teens that go through growth spurts. That’s because the bones grow faster than the muscles and lead to stretching which makes them prone to an injury. The other specific reasons may be:

• Exercising without a warm-up session. It is necessary to loosen up the muscles before you start your regime. Right muscles have high chances of a strain than flexible and strong ones. However, when one forgets to do so it may lead to a hamstring strain.
• Weak glutes. Glutes and hamstrings work together. If your glutes are weak, hamstrings can get overloaded and strained.
• Weak muscles cannot handle the stress of exercise also tired muscles due to long hours of workout are equally prone to a strain.
• Poor technique. If your technique of running or for that matter any physical sport is poor, it may lead to a strain on your muscles.

Symptoms

Mild hamstring strain will lead to pain in the back of your thigh. It will also be painful to walk. Partial hamstring strains are more painful and you might feel tender at the back of your thigh. Your thighs may develop a swelling or bruise at the back.  A severe hamstring pain may lead to swelling and tenderness bruises at the back of your thigh and you will be unable to move the affected leg.

Treatment

Most hamstring pains can be cured at home. Application of ice and taking rest is the simplest way of dealing with muscle strains. However, prolonged pain can be treated with the help of bandages and elevating the affected the leg. Even after all these, if the pain persists expert advice is suggested. Surgery may be suggested to fix the tendon or reattach the torn tendon to the bone.

In the case of hamstring pain, a physiotherapist can help you cope up with the pain by suggesting suitable exercises. Care2cure offers excellent physiotherapy and rehab services. We have a class of qualified and experienced experts to offer solutions. We care for our patients’ comfort and provide them with the best experience.